Questions for forensic investigator Paul Holes

[Tricia]

POST YOUR QUESTIONS HERE FOR PAUL HOLES THURSDAY, FEB.27th at 8:00 PM EASTERN!
We are very excited to have Paul Holes, the cold case investigator who played a pivotal role in the investigation and arrest of Golden State killer Joseph DeAngelo, as our first guest on Websleuths Ask Me Anything.
Mr. Holes has retired from the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office and is now the forensic investigator for Othram.
Paul Holes will be on Websleuths on Thursday, Feb. 27th, at 8:00 PM Eastern to answer your questions LIVE!
You can post your questions in advance on the thread below. Then on Thursday the 27th at 8:00 PM Eastern CLICK HERE and join Paul Holes live as he answers your questions,

 

[MadMcGoo]

I'd be interested in hearing anything you can share about your investigation into Phillip and Nancy Garrido.

 

[Chypre]

Thank you for your work on the Carla Walker case. If you can please share your insights into Fort Worth life at that time period that might help understand the Missing Trio case of Rachel Trlica, Renee Wilson, and Julie Mosely better.
Thank you.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

"It really wasn't until after I retired and I just had this psychological meltdown," he says. "I went in to see a therapist and I talked about my experiences during my career. And that therapist said, 'Paul, you got to understand, every time you buried that emotional trauma from these cases — which was many cases — those are little nicks that you get. And now you have so many nicks, you're bleeding out emotionally.' I didn't recognize that over the course of my career. But I will tell you, it's very real and a lot of other people are experiencing that."

https://www.npr.org/2022/08/10/1116304728/golden-state-killer-paul-holes-unmasked-cold-case

*Hello Paul. My curiosity surrounds the bolded. I'd like to hear a little bit about how you handled the emotional intensity sometimes experienced while searching for answers. It's often difficult and painful to detach from the victim and their fate, especially with children and young women and girls.

 

[Johnny Joe Dillinger]

I would like to know your thoughts on the Johnny Gosch case out of Des Moines Iowa in the early 80's. His mother feels like a pedophile ring took him and says he came back to visit her as an adult and said he was in hiding. There were three or maybe 4 paper boys who went missing in a relatively short time period in Des Moines. Just would like to know what you think of this case. Thanks!

 

[Teamir]

Hello Paul, I advocate for select cold cases in a northern Midwest state. I feel like my approach to LE is not quite conveying my intent. I research the case with the limited available public data; create a current file with pertinent associated people (where are they at now); form a speculation about the case, and offer new ideas or things to wonder about. I approach it assuming nothing about what LE did (neither positive or negative), and I don’t ask questions about case specifics. Then I email my contact with thoughts, and the case file if he requests. Each and everytime, he says “ I can’t tell you anything “ AND “don’t assume we missed anything”. It’s a catch 22 - I’m not asking and so I throw all kinds of info and speculation in the file because I don’t know what they’ve done or not done, or what might spark something on the case. I’ve gotten one cold case fully “reopened”, so I’ve a proven track record of value. How can I get him to understand I’m pro-LE and not assuming bad things, while still working a case from ground zero? Thank you for you thoughts!

Editing to add - the current case I’m advocating for has degraded/used up DNA. I personally think it’s perfect for Othram to have a try and I suggested that to LE. But no submission yet, unless they just aren’t telling me about it - which is possible.

 

[bearfossils]

Paul: I’d love to know how the advances in forensics lately, specifically genetic genealogy, have impacted how you view criminology and cold cases in general. For example: new technology has allowed us to identify persons of interest which were previously unknown to investigators, including individuals who only committed one violent offense and then proceeded to live supposed “normal lives”, which goes against a lot of long held ideas about those types of offenders. Do you view unsolved cases in a different light now? And how do you think these advances will impact crime and law enforcement in the near future?

Thank you for all the work you’ve done and victims you’ve helped.

 

[Lonicera]

J'ai donné mon ADN à 2and me . Je suis française . que puis-je faire de plus? Mes ascendants remontent au début du 18ème siècle. Tous des laboureurs , parfois des bourgeois ou des tisserands.Toujours des filles mariées vers la vingtaine ou la trentaine. en Aquitaine.

ADMIN NOTE: French to English translation:

I gave my DNA to 2and me. I am French. what more can I do? My ancestors date back to the beginning of the 18th century. All plowmen, sometimes bourgeois or weavers. Always girls married around their twenties or thirties. in Aquitaine.

 

[Chypre]

Paul: I’d love to know how the advances in forensics lately, specifically genetic genealogy, have impacted how you view criminology and cold cases in general. For example: new technology has allowed us to identify persons of interest which were previously unknown to investigators, including individuals who only committed one violent offense and then proceeded to live supposed “normal lives”, which goes against a lot of long held ideas about those types of offenders. Do you view unsolved cases in a different light now? And how do you think these advances will impact crime and law enforcement in the near future?

Thank you for all the work you’ve done and victims you’ve helped.

Great question. I'm surprised by the "one and dones" they are finding with genealogy as well.
Along the same lines, I wonder what the effects of drugs and alcohol are on these offenders and being apprehended. Do they spill the beans more or less?

 

[Melt71]

On your speculation that there are 2,000 serial killers out there looking for victims. Are there any emerging systems or investigative techniques that will help identify killers in a more timely manner?

 

[Via Marple]

TX Thread 'TX - Yogurt Shop Murders, Austin, 6 Dec 1991'

Jan 1, 2009

The long cold case of 4 teens murdered in an Austin Yogurt Shop was solved by confessions. Convictions were later tossed. Now new DNA testing does not match any of the suspects.


http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/01/01/0101yogurt.html

• colette
• Replies: 275
• Forum: Cold Cases

• 

Hi Paul, I am from Australia but intrigued by the Yogurt Shop Murders case in Austin, Texas. How can this be solved, what do you think?

 

[Catmommy]

Hi Paul, have you ever had just a feeling about a case that did or didn't pan out?

 

[Izzylizzy]

"Legendary cold case investigator Paul Holes joins the show! The veteran detective is responsible for solving the case of The Golden State Killer and opens up about dedicating nearly thirty years of his career to it. Plus, he has a new memoir, “Unmasked: My Life Solving America’s Cold Cases,” which chronicles his impressive career, and he tells the #TamFam all about it'

Tamron Hall

 

[Kittybunny]

Paul: I’d love to know how the advances in forensics lately, specifically genetic genealogy, have impacted how you view criminology and cold cases in general. For example: new technology has allowed us to identify persons of interest which were previously unknown to investigators, including individuals who only committed one violent offense and then proceeded to live supposed “normal lives”, which goes against a lot of long held ideas about those types of offenders. Do you view unsolved cases in a different light now? And how do you think these advances will impact crime and law enforcement in the near future?

Thank you for all the work you’ve done and victims you’ve helped.

Such a great question! Love this one.

 

[MassGuy]

Hi Paul. I was wondering if there were any updates in the Oakey Al Kite murder, which you covered in one of "The DNA of Murder" episodes.

 

[maamager]

Hi Paul. I was wondering if there were any updates in the Oakey Al Kite murder, which you covered in one of "The DNA of Murder" episodes.

Exactly what I wanted to ask!

To add to this… Paul, what do you think it will take to bring this perp to justice, especially if they’re international?

 

[DTPeke]

Hi Paul, Can you share any insight on the Elizabeth Barraza case, the Tomball, Texas garage sale murder?

If I recall correctly her father and Mike Morford/Morph said you worked on an unreleased show.

Your thoughts on what it will take to solve this and why it's taking so long (6 years)?

Thank you!

 

[chaz]

Hello Paul,
I would be very interested in your opinion of the Missy Bevers case. Do you think that the perp could have left any DNA on any place or item in that church? And if items were saved, could that DNA still be found and tested after 9 years?

 

[arielilane]

Good evening, Paul,

Thank you for this opportunity!

I'd like to add to @DTPeke's post about the murder of Liz Barraza.

-- Do you foresee that the unreleased show will be released this year? If not, is there a reason(s) for the delay? Only curious.

-- Could you speak about the shooter of Liz who appeared to have no issue with shooting Liz multiple times at point-blank range while standing in the driveway of her home? Ex: Would you guess the person wearing (speculation) disguise (female or male?

-- The shots were extremely loud. Unless the shooter was wearing (ear plugs) protection, is it possible they would experience hearing loss, tinnitus?

-- Do you think the person who shot Liz is the person who also wanted her dead?

-- The shooter seemed to know how to avoid being in view of the Barraza’s Nest camera. What does that tell you?

 

[friendlysleuther]

Hi Paul. My mother was murdered in October. I believe that she was strangled to death by her abusive husband.
I have wrote a 23pg report along with 2 pages of medical citations to back up my findings.. (I had to write this up because the coroner & pathologist both did not look at the police initial photos when she was brought into the emergency room, nor her medical file or scans.. they didn’t even list her eye color correctly—) but, nonetheless.. here’s a brief overview

Contusions (Bruises)
Left Side of Body

• Breast
• Shoulder*
• Forearm*
• Toes
• Foot & Shin

Right Side of Body

• Wrist*
• Shoulder*
• Hand* (fractured thumb)
• Toes (potential fractures, noted in medical file)
• Hip*
• Knee
• Foot
• Shin

* = Not listed in autopsy, but, but was listed in medical file.

Not only was her entire body bruised, but had fingerprint bruises on her neck, along with fingernail marks and petechiae on her neck, cheek and ear.

Anyways, my questions for you are..
1.I’m curious to know what your opinion is on how she could have sustained the injuries to her feet and knee.
Her knee was so badly injured, it looked as if somebody took a baseball bat to it.. & her toes were so bad, the doctors thought they were all fractured..

2. Have you seen other cases where strangulation victims also present with lower-body trauma like this? What could explain that?

3. If the ER & ICU doctors+ nurses noted more injuries than the autopsy report, does that raise red flags to you?

4.Do you know of any forensic experts (preferably volunteer groups.. I’m not rich) who specialize in reviewing medical records and injuries that I should consult?

5.What are the most effective ways to get media or advocacy groups involved to apply pressure for justice? Her case was reopened at the beginning of this month after I had a discussion with the prosecutor, but.. I hate waiting on something that (IMO) should have been done a long time ago & I’m still worried given the lack of everything done thus far.

6. Have you ever seen a case in which 2 brothers both strangle their wives to death? Is that common in families or..?

Thank you